Night Shift Workers and Dogs

I work night shift, I'm sure some of you'll wonder why there is a reply at 4 a.m est. Well that's about mid day in my life in reality. I eat Breakfast at 5:30 to 6 p.m. est, Lunch at around 2 a.m. est, and dinner at 6 est. Bedtime for me is at around 9 a.m.

Anyways, on to the topic at hand, does anyone else here work night shift and live in a split household?

Here is my issue, one I'm sure will not get worked out anytime soon. The simple fact is I don't live alone, so the dogs are up and down all hours of the night. Essentially they live a 24 hour day with naps in between it. Currently Jazmin has developed a mixed up pup potty schedule, its been a battle to deal with really as she will go on the floor at random just because well, someone woke her up. Trying to get the other family to understand why its important to take the dogs out whoever wakes up first has been quite the battle. Beyond that I'm just trying to work out exactly how its going to work, I could take her up in to my room and acclimate the dog to a night shift schedule, I've not got an issue of that happening as I've done it before. This however does not help out anyone in the house though.

So, dose anyone work night shift and maintain dogs. Have you any ideas or sugguestions on how to maybe explain it or work out something in a house that has both day shift and graveyard workers in it.

Not at witts end here but just don't wish to go throwing around my two cents when I may be wrong or may be a better way in approaching this issue.

Thank You for any help.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on March 1, 2011 at 9:46am

Hi Don, I see this situation as similar to letting someone else dog sit, the key is clear communication, make sure everyone is on the same page, your dog wants to please you, so make it easier for him, help him help you. If others proved to be unreliable, then you must do it yourself by crating him in your own room, it will avoid, overfeeding, double dosage of medication, too much water...etc. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Kimberlie on March 1, 2011 at 12:19pm

Me and my boyfriend have 2 corgi's FOr a while he worked nights 7pm-7am and i work typical 8-5. This was our schedual... created by me, but both where potty trained, yuo would probably have to add a lot more pee brakes. Most important thing is setting a schedual for the puppy so they can trust and rely on when they will be let out. We tried to make our routies the same to make it easier on the dogs.

I wake up let the dogs out of there crates/bedroom to do their business and to some running around.

When i was finished getting gready i would bring them in and feed them

WHen he got home he would drive me to work

When he came back he would do his thing and take them for a walk at some point.

When he was going to bed he would let the choose to snooze with him or to free roam.

Then when he got up he would let them out to do their business while he got ready for work

then they would come in get a cookie and then he would pick me up, or hang out if i was taking the bus home.

When i got home he would leave to work

I would walk them first thing

Then do my thing (eat, clean, relax) while they played and cuddled

before i went to bed i would let them out while i got ready for bed

Hope that give you an idea of what you could do, hardest part is getting other on board to your idea.

bring them in and crated them, sometimes let them sleep on the bedroom floor.

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 2, 2011 at 2:44am

Thank you for all the advice so far,

I've had a " Talk" with all involved parties, I think I got them on board with a schedule that will work for everyone. As explained that once this gets in to full swing the accidents will be minimal at best, during this time though will be the hardest for everyone. Jazmin sleeps with me as she is the self proclaimed nap pup of the house ( run for 1 hour, sleep for 8). The feeding schedules and such allow freedom of food/water avalibility and so far is working out ok.

She is the typical Corgi though and were going through " I don't like it, so I wont eat it" phase of her puppyhood. I guess that will change with time.

We've had few accidents thus far on the trail run of the schedule today. so will see if it keeps up or not.

Again Thank you for all the information, I do appreciate it.